FE290 Loud After Rebuild

[Engman69]

Ok, it took a while but my '93 CC project came to life in late September. The cart looks great and overall runs very well. It will even nudge the governor on the flat paths.

The engine rebuild was complete, new piston (.25mm over), connecting rod, crank bearing, new valves, guides, springs ect. You get the picture. The oil pump, crank, cam and tappets were reused.

As stated the cart runs pretty well but it is Loud. The guys I play with have all commented on the noise level.

It does have a new exhaust and exhaust gasket with no leaks. It almost sounds like its hammering a bit but can't nail down the culprit. The head gasket seems airtight as well. The primary clutch is new and the secondary has been rebuilt, machined and had a high torque kit installed.

I've played several rounds of golf and run it around the neighborhood often without issue. I'm to the point of looking for theories on the source of the noise. I'd like to resolve the problem before something lets loose.

Any ideas?

[raydhd]

Get a HF stethoscope and start testing different areas.You should be able to localize the source of the sound.Of course be aware of areas of spinning objects.

[villebacker]

Looks sharp. I like your bumpers. Reminds me of my red 93. Noise must be all the pretty paint on the motor :). Without hearing your motor I wouldn't have a clue. I rebuilt my 93 DS also but no change in sound of the engine but I reused stock muffler. Is your noise a metallic sound or exhaust sound?

[Engman69]

The stock muffler was shot so a new stock one was installed. Noise doesn't sound like exhaust. And the exhaust sounds about right. The noise is similar to a hammering. I may see if I can record it and upload the file. One thought is that it may be the oil pump hitting but I cannot think of a way that could happen. Going to order a stethoscope.

[Engman69]

Here is a short video of it running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQHBX060-QQ

[raydhd]

That certainly sounds mechanical.Have you double checked valve lash and valve train components?

[Engman69]

Yeah. set at 0.005 (0.127 mm). I've checked/adjusted it several times since the rebuild. I'm wondering if the connecting rod or piston is in 180 out. I'm reluctant to go there since during the rebuild it was one of the things stressed over.

At this point I want to find another motor to have ready (preferably an FE350) before pulling this one.

[raydhd]

IMHO If that was my engine I would pull it and find the problem before some thing really bad happens.

[Engman69]

Agreed. The plan is to keep the cart in the shop, prep another motor for a swap and tear this one back down.

[mrlmd]

You do have oil in it, right? (J/K).

Make sure you come back and tell us what you find if you open it up.